***** Thank you for all the initial reviews, each and every one is greatly appreciated! *****
Chin arrived bearing coffee and donuts as Steve was on the phone.
Danny looked up at him, "He's talking to Wade Gutches"
"Oh….so what do we know?"
Danny filled him in and as Steve hung up he said, "Wade and Jacks are on their way"
Danny inquired "He's not going to call Joe?"
"No, he won't…" Turning to Chin he said, "Hey buddy, thanks for coming in and thanks for the coffee"
"Of course. So Danny tells me we're going to Phuket. How many tickets should I book?"
"Five flying out and six returning…..we're not coming home without her"
Chin smiled softly, "You got it boss"
As Chin moved to the couch at the side of the room to book the flight, Danny asked "So you still haven't filled me in in how we're going to do this?"
"He's holding her in a deserted warehouse on the Island. He's going to have people watching us Danny, I've got to go in alone"
"Steve, there is no way in hell that I'm letting that happen"
Steve's voice began to rise and the fear was evident in his voice, "Listen Danny. I am not going to jeopardize Catherine's life. He wants me, he's going to get me!"
"What are you saying? You're acting like this is a suicide mission. Do you hear yourself?"
The SEAL closed his eyes and Danny placed his hand on his arm adding, "Relax Steve….I know you're scared but you're not in this alone and we're going to get her out of there"
"I'm fine. I promise you Danny, I am more focused than I've ever been" Blinking away tears he turned ad asked, "How's it coming along Chin?"
"It's a fourteen and a half hour flight. We can catch a flight at two o'clock this afternoon and that will get us into Phuket at 8:00 AM"
"Good….book 'em buddy"
Danny then squeezed Steve's forearm and said, "When are Wade and Jacks coming?"
"They'll be here within the hour"
"Okay, so let's sit down and try to figure out what we're going to do about this"
Steve moved back behind his desk and Danny sat facing him.
Steve pulled out a map of Phuket saying, "I've been to Phuket three times and I believe the warehouse district he's holding her at is here….."
Pointing to an area on the waterfront the men began formulating a plan…
A few hours later the five men were on a Hawaiian Airlines flight heading to Thailand. Danny and Chin sat across the aisle from the three SEALS, watching in awe as the men strategically finalized the details of their plan. Danny was extremely grateful that Wade and Jacks had joined the effort. He knew that they would never have been able to rescue Steve from Wo-Fat's clutches when he was being held in North Korea without the help of these men. Knowing his partner as he did, he knew that he was going to do whatever necessary to save Catherine and he definitely felt more at ease knowing these two amazing men would be going in with them. He couldn't help but notice how much calmer and focused Steve had become since they arrived. They were all trained to handle these missions and it was apparent how they fed off each other even though they had never actually served together as a unit…they truly were 'brothers in arms'.
Danny turned to Chin, "Ever feel a little inadequate brother?"
Chin chuckled, "Yeah I hear you, but at least they're on our side"
"Amen Chin, amen"
Once they arrived in Phuket they rented an SUV under Steve's alias, 'Philip Marshall' and then using their GPS they made their way towards the warehouse district ready to implement their plan.
5050505050505050505050505050505050505050
When they were about two miles from the site they dropped Wade and Jacks off onto the side of the road and the men soon disappeared from view into the highly wooded area. Chin then drove them off the road concealing the vehicle in high brush. Steve began handing the weapons he had prepared up to his two friends in the front seat.
"Are you guys ready?"
Danny and Chin both replied in unison, "Absolutely"
Tension filled the car as the seriousness of the situation at hand was realized by them all.
Steve's eyes moved from one man to the other as he said solemnly, "I don't know what we're going to face in there…"
Danny then said, "We're going to get her out of there Steve and we'll all be on the plane heading home soon"
Chin smiled and added, "We're all good brah, let's take care of this son-of-a-bitch for good this time"
Steve grinned and said softly, "Thank you both" His voice cracked slightly, "I can't lose her guys…. I've loved her for so long and I've been so unfair to her"
Danny asked "What do mean by that?"
"She's stuck by me for so long, for so many years. She's helped me get through so many personal losses over the last ten years…..and what have I done for her?"
"You've loved her buddy"
"I was finally going to do it…and now…..now it might be too late"
Danny said softly, "What are you talking about Steve?"
Steve closed his eyes and sighed, "I was finally going to do the right thing and ask her to marry me..."
Danny shook his head saying, "Really? Wow…so are you changing your mind now or something? Steve, we're going to get her out and you'll be able to make good on that"
Steve replied, "What partner? You're not going to tell me never to get married?"
"Are you kidding? If I tell you that, Catherine will kick my ass!"
Chin chuckled, "Yes she will brother!" He then reached out and grasped Steve's forearm, "Steve, we're happy you've made that decision. We all love Catherine"
Danny smiled, "Yes we do and we're going to get her back safely and you have to believe that"
At that moment Steve's radio crackled and Wade Gutches voice sounded, "Grey Fox to Smooth Dog, do you hear me?"
Steve replied, "I hear you Grey Fox, over"
"We have the warehouse in sight. Heat sensors show four bodies inside and three outside the perimeter of the building. We're in place and ready to move"
"Roger that Grey Fox, we're on the move, over"
Steve then stated, "Let's roll boys"
As he sat back, Chin pulled back onto the road and they moved towards the warehouse.
5050505050505050505050505050505050505050
Chin parked off the side of road half a mile from the building.
As Danny and Steve exited the vehicle Chin said, "Be careful guys"
Steve responded, "Listen in and we'll be ready to evacuate soon"
Chin watched as the men disappeared into the heavily wooded area following a dirt road towards their destination. They both wore body armor and carried automatic weapons. They had implanted a tracking device under the skin on Steve's lower back and both men wore microscopic wires on the insides of their shirt collars.
As they walked on, Danny spoke softly "Can you hear me Chin"
"Loud and clear brother, Steve?"
"I'm here, testing…."
Chin responded, "I've got good sound on both of you…Godspeed brothers"
They walked in silence for a short time before Steve said, "Danno promise me something will you?"
Looking at his partner, he said "That depends Steve….."
They both stopped walking and turning to face each other Steve said, "Whatever happens in there, I need you to follow my lead and do what I ask. The ONLY thing that matters is that we get Catherine out of there safely, do you hear me? That's all that matters"
"What are you planning on doing Steve?"
"I'm ending this Danny. One way or another, I'm ending this"
Steve resumed walking and sighing deeply, Danny followed him.
As they neared the warehouse, the door opened and two Asian men came towards them with guns drawn.
The larger of the two hollered out, "DROP YOUR WEAPONS!"
Steve called back, "Where's Catherine?"
"I SAID DROP YOUR WEAPONS NOW!"
Looking at his partner, Steve said "Do it Danny"
In sync the two men laid their weapons onto the ground.
"Now drop your sidearms and then get on your knees and put your hands on your head " Doing as they were instructed Wo-Fat's henchmen then patted them down and then shoving the butts of their weapons into the men's backs they stood and walked slowly into the warehouse.
Steve's eyes scoured the surroundings as they were guided into the building. There were rows of steel pallets, some empty, some filled with boxes. As they moved amongst the rows of pallets towards the back of the building Steve again asked, "Where is Catherine?"
His question was met with a sharp blow to the side of his face with the butt of a gun.
The blow staggered him slightly and Danny instinctively reached out to steady him causing the two thugs to step back and cock their weapons.
Suddenly the voice of Wo-Fat called out "STOP"
His men dropped their weapons to their side and all four turned their attention towards Wo-Fat as he stepped in front of them.
He stared at the two men for several seconds before saying, "I'm disappointed in you Commander McGarrett. I feel my instructions were quite simple but this does not appear to be Doris"
"Where's Catherine you son-of-a-bitch?"
"I told you that I wanted Doris"
"And I TOLD YOU I don't know where she is. Now, bring me to Catherine"
Without saying anything else Wo-Fat turned and the others all followed him.
As they rounded the pallet, Catherine came into view and without hesitating both Steve and Danny raced to her side.
****** MUCH MORE TO FOLLOW, I hope you're enjoying and I love it if you review! ******